Whatīs your value to the world??? ( or How do you feel about your self?)

Well, the reason for this post is pretty simple...
very I often , mostly at night, when everybody is sleeping here, at home, I stay in my living-room...and I get depressed, pretty much...canīt sleep....I usually spend the nights thinking a lot , or not thinking at all...

Now, going straight to the point...what sort of things do I think of in those times??....
Simple...all the time, I keep on thinking whether I really have some value to the world...whether Iīm doing the right things or not...whether, in case I have a mission to do on Earth, if Iīm doing it, and properlly....

I donīt know if any of you worry about these same sort of things...but, I would be pleased to get to you know you folks better, since you all make me feel so confortable here, on the forums...

I donīt know...itīs really something that bothers me sometimes...Am I the kind of person I could be?...Nice?...Responsible?...Generous?...Understanding?
Do I deserve nice things to happen in my life?
I know that everyone deserves to be happy...but...I donīt know if you can get what I mean....

Why donīt you people give me your opinions?...maybe this can help many people who feel just the same way I do ...and maybe, then, I could get back here, and try to express myself better...

So, this is the question...How do you feel about yourself????
Letīs make this a psychotherapy thread...
Go on...vent a little...let your stress out...

Very often I have, and still do, feel similar to what you have described. I've come to the conclusion that I may never know my reason for being here, but that doesn't mean that my mere presence on earth is of no value. So, I try to keep learning, try to keep aware, try to stay focused on humanity. I also try to accept that as a human, I will sometimes fail in my attempts. And that is an opportunity to learn and grow.

To help, I have recently (in the past 3 years) really tried to focus on how situations I find myself in make me *feel*. "Do I like how situation A makes me feel? No? Well, is there anything I can do to either avoid being in this situation again? No? Well, how can I learn from this experience to make the next time a little less stressful in my life?" These are the types of conversations I have with myself, on some level, consciously or subconsciously.

I use these self-analytical sessions to help me learn - and I believe that they all happen as part of my "Fool's Journey" on my path in this life.

Does any of the above make any sense????

Vent? Well, that, my friend, would crash the site!

Liliana

22 Feb 2002

Yes I feel thesameway, and im one fragged up individual

On one handthere is the here me, the amazingly spiritual, wise person, who feels theres some kind of mission for her linked toher soul card of the High Priestess, who is amzingly caring of everyone, cant stand to see negativity

Yet then theres the real world me, that I donteven remotely understand or know how to control, who sometimes has anger issues, who cant spend a day with her husband without startingan argument, even if im trying not to, who feels like thebiggest hypocrit in theworld whensheposts intelligent, serene, wisdom onthe net, only to go off yellingat the kids every 5 seconds because they keep doing bad things.

Its like a total split personality, and right between is the sense of humor which i think is the only thing that keeps me sane

Its obvious Im screwing up my mission in my real life, but i dont know how to fix it, its just all nuts. So, Im riding it out, hoping tofigure a way to resolve it someday, it doesnt help my husband telling me i can choose how i respondto things, sincei dont seem to be able to, beats me

faunabay

23 Feb 2002

As I read your post Ramses the first thing that came to mind, was you're doing part of what you're meant to do in life here on the forum. (I'm serious here)

You raise some wonderful thought provoking questions here and get us all to think. That's a great thing. I always look forward to your posts! Thank you so much!

Now to answer your actual question - LOL - I do the same thing. There are times when I feel I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing in this lifetime. Then there are other times where I feel like I have no idea WHAT I'm doing - let alone if it's the right thing for me. (shrug)

I think that's part of raising your spirituality. That you (and all of us) actually care and wonder whether we're doing what we're on this planet to do. I'm sure there are many, many people who don't even know this question exists let alone cares about what the answer is.

You are a very wise soul for raising all these wonderful thoughts and questions!!! :*

Pollux

23 Feb 2002

I don't want to sound repetitive, but Ramses you surely are acoomplishing at least a part of your mission by showing up from time to time and presenting us with such deep, sincere and genuine discussions. I admire you because, even though most of times I write tons of things about myself, and maybe (I'm trying to guess) I appear individualist, free, strong or whatever, well this is the "Fiery" part of me, that only serves to conceal the blues and the sorrow of the "Watery" one - it is not easy to talk about oneself as "lucidly" and sincerely as you do :) . But I bet this sort of "exposing" occurs to most people on this Forum (Lili, follow my advice, be PASSIONATE! :) )... and maybe it also is the proof that, irrespective of where we're headed, certainly we ARE walking: which way, I don't mind, coz surely one can learn from both. ;)

For example, as amyel (always enlightened) and faunabay (faunabay, I'm not mad, ok? ;p ) said, the very fact that you sit and question yourself is the evidence: you ARE walking. It doesn't matter whether you ever arrive, you be tired and want to sleep, you find bridges you are afraid to cross sometimes : the same fact you are walking makes you ALIVE, and therefore, USEFUL - kinda by definition. Your learning path crosses those of so many others you can't even imagine, and it is valuable learning for them too. For instance, you should ponder the fact that, if you hadn't been here, we wouldn't be sharing these thoughts of ours; of course, here there's not all the people of the world, but I think that doing good to 810 memers or so is an acceptable approximation! :)
You can be satisfied with yourself: the point is, never stop walking ;)
(remember PLATO's "kalos kay agatos", "what is good is useful too, and beautiful as well" ;p )

Marion

23 Feb 2002

I really like this one:
"When you walk, just walk. And above all, don't wobble."
To me that means really being present at all times, really doing whatever you are doing and not having your mind shooting off all over so you are never really present. To me, you cannot achieve any purpose unless you are fully and conciously present, and mean to do what you are doing. Sounds simple but it is not. When you do something and fail, if you honestly examine yourself (I mean provided it isn't something impossible to you) you will find you did not really focus on the objective. You worried, you frittered, your mind slid around.
You don't actually have to a grand scheme of life, life will tell you what its changing demands may be. Many years ago there was a cartoon in a church magazine. The teen was praying fervantly, "Lord, tell me what you want! Tell me how to serve you! I'll do anything, go anywhere!!" In the last panel he is leaning over his books sort of muttering, "Oh, I hadn't thought about studying."

purplelady

23 Feb 2002

I believe that everyone IS born with a true soul purpose and purpose in the world. I just wish I knew how to REALLY determine what mine is for sure! But I believe that somewhere in my subconscious , or superconscious or whatever it is I do know , but that in my earthly incarnation as purplelady here (hehe) it is one of those mysteries that I may never uncover, or maybe I'm not really meant to know?
I won't vent because I may crash the site! Besides , I think I already did that (vented that is).
Lilianna, please Do Not assume at all that you are "obviously screwing up your mission in life". (I can't get through a day or even half a day without arguing with hubby! Besides , he's an italian AND a Libra and he Loves to argue! ). And many people yell at their kids. And really , I seriously DOUBT that many of the people that you THINK look perfect or better than you , who maybe don't appear to fight with their spouses or their children are necessarily any better or more "spiritually advanced " than you are! Maybe you are doing what you are supposed to be doing? Maybe you are helping them in their spiritual developement? Maybe it's not you who are screwed but this World's "values" ?

Ramses

23 Feb 2002

Well, thanks a million Amyel, Liliana, Faunabay, Pollux and Marion...thanks a lot for answering to my posts, and for the wonderful things youīve said, which have really helped me a lot, and I hope will help a lot of other people as well...

And if you like this kind of thought-provoking posts, Iīd be glad to keep on trying to post topics like those... If you donīt like them, just let me know, and Iīll try to take it easy...alright?
What do you think about that, Amyel? ;-)

But, you know...what I was trying to say was that...we all here agree that weīve come to this world to improve, to grow, to get better...weīve come to this world to try to be nice people, and generous, and kind, and humble...
I just wonder whether Iīm being able to achieve it or not...and I KNOW that I could do better than Iīve been doing...So, why donīt I ?

I know many people say this, and it may seem clichet, but...there are so many people in the world in hunger, suffering with war, and crime, and all that...and, eventhough, we are still here, many times in our lives, complaining because we didnīt get that new computer, or complaining because of that person who doesnīt understand our emotional needs...

Instead, why arenīt we helping others?...I know that some of you have said that for the simple fact that Iīm here, making people think because of my posts, Iīm doing my part in life...OK, I agree that if you make people think, and make, through discussion, realize that they have to be better and just, itīs great....but...itīs not enough...

Thatīs what I wanted to discuss...instead of just thinking " oh, well, Iīm not causing any harm to anyone, so Iīm a good person, and thatīs enough...", why arenīt we taking some action...
Instead of admiring, and applauding, people who are there, in the front line, doing something concrete to help the world, and other people...why arenīt we one of those???

Thatīs what makes me think of my value to the world...thatīs what make me think about how I feel about myself...thatīs what makes me think I could be a better person, that I could do better, that I could do more for the world I live in...

Well, I agree that we are all here to learn...and that we canīt aim to be a Jesus, or a Budha, or any saint, so fast...it takes time...maybe a lot more of reincarnations...but...Iīd like to do more, instead of only talk...
Am I worth to the world???...Do I deserve the things I want from life???

Maybe Iīm being a bit demanding towards myself...but thatīs just something that sometimes make me think...Hope you have undertsood me...
Once more, thank you all !!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE,PEACE AND HARMONY TO YOU ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.: You folks have inspired me to think of something else...Iīll start another thread...Hope you can take part of it ...I love you all folks!!!

faunabay

23 Feb 2002

Ramsas,

I never for a minute thought this forum and questions here were all you are on this planet to do! I know you will do MUCH MUCH more.

And as for you other question about doing something physical (actions) to make this world a better place??? I think that's exactly what your questions are accomplishing. You ask us questions which cause us to think about things in a way we hadn't before. Which causes us to DO things differently.

So with your words you are causing action! (I hope that makes sense!)

And be as demanding of yourself as as you see fit as long as you don't become self critical. The more you demand the more you can do, but do it in and with love and acceptance.

Please don't discount the thought process and part of it. As I state in my signature "Your intentions (and thoughts) create your experiences." I totally believe that with your thoughts you can create your reality. So ALWAYS think positively and KNOW you can accomplish wonderful, great things - and you will!!!!!!

slinky_jo

24 Feb 2002

Well, it took me ten years out of high school to realise that I've got to redress my karmic imbalances and give something back to mother earth. I'm now a very under paid but completely satisfied and serene veterinary nurse.

ps - animals ROCK! hee hee! :D

Pollux

24 Feb 2002

faunabay: I agree with you completely!

slinky_jo: lately I found out I love monkeys, and I'd love to have one, or at least to "adopt" one and be sure it will be ok - I think if animals rock, zoos suck! >(
I WANT A MONKEY!!! Do you feel the same too? And, my LADY-dog is, how do you say? I'd say she's dying to mate ;p ... I am working so hard to chase all the dogs of the neighbourhood away! ;) Beautiful, powerful Mother heart!

However, Ramses, what faunabay says is true indeed. And, I want to encourage you to look at this forum only as brains connected and talking. We got whole lives outside the cyberspace, and I'm sure everyone does something good in them too. As regards myself, in the present moment I'm just doing nothing other than helping a friend of mine who's DEEP DOWN with my cards, and trying to bring about truce in my house (it's a really tough mooment for my families). Unluckily, I have no power to stop the War in Afghanistan however hard I try! :)
BUT BUT BUT, I am studying Medicine and I am working very hard, and I want to become a proficient doctor, and then go to India, Bangladesh, Africa... I want to cure and heal people, and, in the same time, I want to be perfectly aware of where my spirituality goes - I hope I'll be able sometime to see the Taj Mahal... Who knows.

Anyway, nowadays I'm doing PERFECTLY NOTHING for the whole world, but I know I'm just investing my time and energy to be able to give a better myself to it in the future.
A meagre consolation - I hate having to put off things!!! >( - but that keeps my sense of guilt asleep :)

amyel

24 Feb 2002

Dan, I don't think we all need to be revolutionaries in order to help others and provide some positive impact to our world. For example, I am foster parent through one of the world relief agencies, and there is no doubt in my mind that I am helping my foster son and his community. He, in turn, will have an opportunity to attend school for much longer then he would have previously, and perhaps even go to college. This, in turn, will help him help his community and his family, and the obvious hope is this positive helping cycle will continue.

I agree that it can be depressing when one looks at the state of our world today and to feel very small and insignificant; that our small helps are lost. But really, I don't think this is the case. Can you imagine what our world would be like if NO ONE ever did one kind thing for anyone? We would live in constant anarchy, with utter hopelessness and helplessness.

Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha...these individuals' beliefs have great impact on the world - today. But don't forget that each of them was maligned and sometimes ostracized for those same beliefs that the world takes for granted now.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".

New River

24 Feb 2002

author Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way and The Vein of Gold, says "let the soles of your feet take you to the feats of your soul."

the journey is the part that really counts. questioning ourselves is part of that journey. hopefully it brings us new understanding not only of ourselves but of others and their journey as well.

if we never bothered to ask ourselves the questions you are asking, dan, where would we be?

love, light and hope, New River

slinky_jo

24 Feb 2002

HEY POLLUX! I think that me and you should open up a medical clinic with a veterinary clinic right beside it in every third world country of the world.

...Now if I was a rich person, this wouldn't be such a silly idea. I would love to do this! :D

jade

25 Feb 2002

i feel that i have great value to the world and i have great value to myself.

i walk my talk. that makes me valuable.

my talk is light, caring for the earth, teaching spirituality, teaching reiki, sharing the light with everyone who cares to see it :)

i love my path. i love my life.

i enjoy everyday! i truly do.

i feel blessed to be alive,
jade

Major Tom

25 Feb 2002

This is a great question Ramses! It's really made me think.

I can relate to it because I know I don't always behave in my own best interest. }>

Speaking strictly for myself, I believe that everyone is deserving of a happy, prosperous life. Even me. :D

I do what I am able to do to improve the world. Even Jesus said something along the line of 'there will always be poor and hungry people in the world'. So I try not to beat myself up about it. Could I do more for the world? The answer would have to be yes. Will I do more for the world? The answer is definitely yes.

If you're really feeling that you aren't doing enough for the world - do more! I think you're doing fine. You've certainly helped me. }>

Diana

25 Feb 2002

If we had done everything we could for the world, we wouldn't be here anymore. So I think the fact that we feel we can do more shows that our own individual value is still very important to this universe, otherwise we may as well go up in a puff of smoke.

We certainly can't feed all the hungry kids, nor stop all the wars. But I know from experience (having taken part, in a small, unnoticed way, in the overthrow of a horrific regime), that it takes millions of knocks against a wall to knock it down. You knock, you hammer, you chip away slowly, and then one day, a tiny knock more, and it all comes crumbling down. Was it that last knock that did the trick? No, every single one of the other millions of knocks was just as important.

To put it more simply, every drop in the ocean is just as important as the others.

Remaining honest and authentic to oneself, that's already one step to contributing to an honest and authentic world.

Ramses

27 Feb 2002

Hey folks...

thanks a lot ...all you all have said made me think a lot, made me feel better....you are great, people...

you surelly are doing your part in the world...and youīre all doing a wonderful job....thanks...

you know...I think that sometimes I demand too much from myself, but you people made me realize that Iīm doing my share in this world...I still can do more, but Iīll try not to be judging myself so hard from now on...

and I agree with what someone said above....weīre still going to have hungry people in the world and stuff...but, I hope that, if every and each person in the world starts contributing in some way, one day every soul in the world will feel just fine...

yeah, Diana, I agree with you...each drop of water in the ocean is just as important as the other drops...each person in the world has a mission...and I hope we can all do our part to make this world a better place...as someone has already said, " every journey starts with one single step"....

Well, the reason for this post is pretty simple...
very I often , mostly at night, when everybody is sleeping here, at home, I stay in my living-room...and I get depressed, pretty much...canīt sleep....I usually spend the nights thinking a lot , or not thinking at all...

Now, going straight to the point...what sort of things do I think of in those times??....

Well, I take a sleeping pill. I am also an insomniac, and have worn myself out with worry and fret during those sleepless nights. I just pop my night-night meds now, and slumber into sweet bliss.

I highly recommend it.

magdalene

fairyhedgehog

02 Mar 2002

I can't help thinking about the story about the starfish. It has many different versions, but here is one of them:

Once upon a time there was a wise man that used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking along the shore.

One day he was walking along the shore.
As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.

He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw that it was a young girl and she was not dancing, but instead reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning!
What are you doing?"

The young girl paused, looked up and replied,
"Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked, why are you
throwing starfish into the ocean?"

"The sun is up, and the tide is going out.
If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

"But, young lady, don't you realize that there are miles
and miles of beach, and starfish all along it?
You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young girl listened politely.
Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."

- author unknown

Regards,

FH

truthsayer

02 Mar 2002

Quote:

slinky_jo (25 Feb, 2002 10:29):
HEY POLLUX! I think that me and you should open up a medical clinic with a veterinary clinic right beside it in every third world country of the world.
...Now if I was a rich person, this wouldn't be such a silly idea. I would love to do this! :D

pollux, will you need a nurse at this hypothetical medical clinic? if i don't get frustrated and chuck it all, i hope to be finished nursing school in may 2003. plus i love animals, slinky jo. i can't imagine anything better than to spend the rest of my life doing what i can to heal others. my role model is mother teresa of calcutta.

fairyhedgehog, the story about the starfish is so true for me! ppl often ask me why i do the things i do for others. don't i know i can't really make a difference? that's when i remember the starfish story. i can't do it all but i can make a difference in the lives of a few. the difference i make in the lives of those few will go on and pass the torch on to others and then others. who knows how many lives will be touched in the end if we all try to do this!!!!!!!! all it takes is one candle to start the chain of lighting thousands...

"practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beaty".

Ramses

02 Mar 2002

hey fairyhedgehog...

I already knew that story of the starfish...but, I had forgotten about it...thanks a lot...itīs a great story...
if only everybody could think that way...the world would be better...

and, Magdalene...thanks for the suggestion...

LOVE, PEACE AND HARMONY TO YOU ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Whatīs your value to the world??? ( or How do you feel about your self?) thread was originally posted on 22 Feb 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.